Heidi Heleniak

Recent Articles

Monarch Butterfly Event in Piscataway

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butterfly branch vintage image black and white

One of the most recognizable butterfly species, the orange and black monarch, is preparing for an epic migration, and Middlesex County can give you an up-close look at this natural phenomenon. As host of a Monarch Waystation, East Jersey Old Town Village is a great location to observe and learn all about the monarchs and their behavior. Monarch Waystations provide host plants like milkweed and nectar-bearing flowers for the butterflies. These plants allow them to gain energy to migrate. This free event will take place at 2 p.m. on August 20 at the Indian Queen Tavern at East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Rd., Piscataway. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County

Dunellen Police Report | July 2017

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On 7/31/2017 at 9:05 pm – A Pennsylvania resident was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was brought to Dunellen Police Headquarters for processing where he experienced a medical issue and was transported to RWJ New Brunswick by EMS. A blood sample was obtained and he was turned over to hospital staff. On 7/30/2017 at 1:21 am – A Piscataway resident was arrested for contempt of court following investigation into several individuals seen entering unlocked vehicles. He was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Wall Township. He was brought to Dunellen Police Headquarters for processing and later issued a new court date. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Police

County’s Garden Field Day/Open House July 22

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fruits and vegetables

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County will host its Garden Field Day/Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 22 at the EARTH Center located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave. in South Brunswick. The rain date will be July 23. The day will be filled with activities for the whole family, including garden tours, presentations and showcases on gardening and landscaping, plus live music. Throughout the event, the Agriculture Office and the Rutgers Master Gardeners will offer advice on horticulture and environmental stewardship while guiding visitors through various teaching gardens and learning projects. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County

NJ Transit’s Summer Commute Changes Start July 10

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The summer commute NJ Transit users have been dreading is just around the corner. To accommodate Amtrak’s track repairs in July and August at Penn Station New York, NJ Transit will be implementing service changes weekdays between Monday, July 10 and Friday, September 1. Dunellen train and bus riders will not have to deal with many schedule changes. Raritan Valley Line trains will operate on regular weekday schedules with minor adjustments. And all Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line trains to Penn Station New York will operate on regular weekday schedules with minor time changes to and from New York City. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Transportation

Dunellen Police Report | June 2017

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The Dunellen Police Department issued a public safety announcement on July 1, 2017, in response to the number of motor vehicle thefts and burglaries mentoned in this report. On 6/28/2017 at 3:36 am – A Plainfield resident and a Pennsylvania resident were arrested for contempt of court after police responded to a call regarding a pair of disorderly persons at a North Avenue business. The Plainfield resident was found to have warrants out of Plainfield and South Plainfield while the Pennsylvania resident had warrants out of Spotswood and Atlantic City. The Plainfield resident was turned over to Plainfield Police Department on their warrant while the Pennsylvania resident posted bail and was released after receiving new court dates. On 6/27/2017 at 1:31 am – Police responded along with the Dunellen Fire Department to Grove Street for a dumpster fire. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Police

Washington Rock Not Affected by State Shutdown

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A post on the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s website noted, “Due to the government shutdown in the State of New Jersey, all State Parks, Forests, Historic Sites, and Recreation Areas will be closed until further notice.” However, one state park was still open: Washington Rock State Park atop the Watchung Mountain in Green Brook. The small parking lot was open and no signage regarding the closure of the property was visibly posted. Visitors were walking around the grounds and enjoying the thirty-mile panoramic view of the valley below. Washington Rock is currently being managed by the Somerset County Park Commission which may be the reason why the park was open (The commission’s offices were closed on the day this article was written). Continue Reading →

Filed under: Green Brook, Green Brook, nj

Public Safety Advisory Regarding Motor Vehicles

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(Issued by the Dunellen Police Department)

In recent weeks, the Dunellen Borough community and several of its surrounding towns have fallen victim to a series of Motor Vehicle Thefts and Car Burglaries. While the Law Enforcement agencies work together to identify and prosecute those responsible, Dunellen Police are asking residents for assistance in ending the recent rash of crimes. Residents are strongly urged to follow the following safety guidelines:

• If available, always park your vehicle in a locked garage. • Always lock the doors to your vehicle, even when you are away from the vehicle for a short time, NEVER leave an unattended vehicle running. • Always leave vehicles fully secured, with windows up, doors locked and sunroofs closed, even when parked in your driveway. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Police

Play-in-the-Park Summer Schedule

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Plays-in-the-Park (PIP) has announced its upcoming summer season of musicals. All shows begin at 8 p.m. and are staged at the Stephen J. Capestro Amphitheater inside Middlesex County’s Roosevelt Park in Edison, NJ. PIP represents a unique collaboration between community theater and local government since 1963 which is sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation. The first show of the season is the comedy “Legally Blonde,” based on the popular 2001 film. The show runs from June 21 to July 1 (no show Sunday). Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County

Dunellen Police Report | May 2017

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On 5/28/2017 at 9:11 pm – A North Plainfield resident was arrested and charged with hindering apprehension following a motor vehicle stop on Prospect Avenue. He was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for traffic violations and fictitious plates. Further investigation determined he provided officers with a false name to conceal an outstanding warrant out of Plainfield. He was transported to Dunellen Police Headquarters for processing and later turned over to the Plainfield Police Department. On 5/28/2017 at 2:12 pm – A Dunellen resident was arrested for outstanding warrants following a motor vehicle accident on Grove Street. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Dunellen, Police

“Celebrate Middlesex County” on June 10

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Middlesex County is hosting an event on Saturday, June 10 at the County’s Roosevelt Park in Edison. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. around the lake at Roosevelt Park, Parsonage Road, Edison. “Celebrate Middlesex County” will feature free activities for the whole family, including:

• Live entertainment, including children’s entertainer, Mr. Ray
• Preview of Plays-in-the-Park’s “West Side Story” performance
• Touch the Truck activity – climb up into the driver’s seat of the County’s large trucks and vehicles
• Fishing in Roosevelt Lake (Bring poles and equipment. Bait will be provided.)
• Roller Skating (Bring a helmet.)
• Bounce houses and face-painting
• 4-H petting station, including rabbits, guinea pigs and a snake
• Food for sale from local vendors

To highlight the beautiful places within the County, residents are invited to submit a photo before June 6 with the following guidelines:

• Take a selfie at their FAVORITE spot in Middlesex County
• Share it on Facebook and Instagram
• Tag @Middlesexcntynj
• Add the hashtag #CelebrateMC2017

Finalists will be displayed at the event, and attendees will vote for their favorite photo. The winner will receive two Plays-in-the-Park tickets and a goodie bag of items.

For more information on the event and the photo contest, go to www.middlesexcountynj.gov. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County